Session Management Node P-CSCF Discovery via NRF Heartbeat
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, the unavailability of proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) nodes can cause delays in voice or video call setups due to stale information provided by DNS servers, leading to unnecessary time-outs for user equipment (UE) when attempting to initiate calls.
Innovation Solution
A session management node receives updates from a network repository function (NRF) about the availability of P-CSCF nodes using heartbeat signals, ensuring timely removal of unavailable nodes from the list provided to UEs, thereby reducing the risk of time-outs by directly sending the list of available nodes to UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SMF obtains P-CSCF identification from a DNS server with updates at 15-minute intervals, then the system maintains a simple discovery mechanism, but the information becomes stale quickly causing unnecessary time-outs and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where P-CSCF nodes actively report their availability status to the SMF through periodic heartbeat signals or event-triggered notifications. This allows the SMF to maintain an up-to-date list of available P-CSCF nodes without relying on infrequent DNS updates, thereby resolving the contradiction between information accuracy and time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The SMF proactively maintains and updates the P-CSCF availability list before UEs need to make calls. By continuously monitoring P-CSCF status through feedback mechanisms and pre-updating the available P-CSCF list, the system ensures that UEs receive current information without experiencing delays during call setup.
2Ease of operation
If the UE randomly selects a P-CSCF from the list without availability checking, then the connection process is simple and fast, but the UE may select unavailable nodes causing time-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF performs preliminary filtering of the P-CSCF list by removing unavailable nodes before providing the list to the UE. This preliminary action ensures that the UE receives only currently available P-CSCF identifiers, maintaining selection simplicity while eliminating the risk of selecting unavailable nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A solution for establishing a data traffic session (e.g., a voice call or a video call) for a user equipment (UE) on a network (e.g., a 5G cellular network) comprises: receiving, by a session management node, from a network repository, identification of a first session control node and a second session control node; receiving, by the session management node, from the UE, a request for identifying a session control node for supporting the data traffic session; determining whether the first session control node is available; and based on at least determining that the first session control node is available and not determining that the second session control node is available, sending, by the session management node, to the UE, identification of the first session control node and not sending identification of the second session control node.